The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-10
A PAssIONIsT MONASTERY.
Something About an Austere Order and the
Place of Father Curran's Exile.
Special to the Indianapoli. Journa,

Place of Father Curran's Exile
Special to the indianapolis Journal
New York, April 9-When Archbishop Corri-
gan commanded Dr. Curran to take ten days by
himself and think over his contumacy regard
ing the famous McGlynn controversy, he sent
him to the monastery of one of the most rigorous
sects Of the Roman priesthood. Here it was
supposed that he would suffer the privatons OF
much fasting. the scourcs, exile from the world,
and all discomforts attendant upon repentance.
1t seems that the priest, while prompt to obey
the Archbishop, in so far as material move
ments 60, is slow TO turn his mind to real re-
pentance. and in fact. openly admits that his
retreat on the whole strengthens his views of the
relations maintained between theology and the
modern land theory. II he should make up his
Archbishop's views before his ten days exile are
over he will have the best opportunity this
country affords to manifest his change of heart
The Order of Passionists, as it is usually called.
is one of tho comparatively modern organiza-
tions Of the priesthood, but is characterized by
great deal of the ancient severity of habits 1t
was founded III 1920 by Paolo francesca Danai,
canonized under the title. ST. Paul of the Cross.
His original idea was to unite all the austerties
of clustered life with the active duties of
pastoral ministry. Tho full title of the
order is this: Congregation of the Discalced
Clerks of the Most Holy Cross and Passion
OF our Lord Jesus Christ The word "discalcedH
las literal significance to this day, for the
members of the order wear no shoes In addi-
ton to the usual VOWS taken by men entering on
the priesthood, the Passonists promise to pay
especial attention to teaching the Passion OF the
Savior and to keep alive the memory of it. Con-
sequently their sermons are almost invariably
on this subject, or, il some other topic, the
Passion is touched upon incidentally in the dis
course. It was one of the great designs of ST.
Paul OF the Cross to convert England once moro
to Roman Catholicism but he did not live to seq
any progress in that direction for it was not IN
til after his death that monasteries of the order
were established outside of Italy. There are
several in England now, and half dozen in
America The first in this country was inaug-
urated with three priests and one lay brother in
PittSburg, in 1852. 1t was not until 1861 that
the colony in West Hoboken, where DR.. Curran
is passing his retreat, was opened. Il was tho
third in point of time. and was soon made the
headquarters of the order in this country. The
provincial. as the chief authority of the Passion
lists in given district is called, resides there.
He has with him about fifteen priests and nearly
an equal number both Of clerical students and
lay brothers.
People of the Roman Catholic faith living in
the vicinity Of Passionst monastery have
always thought highly Of the priests, and West
Hoboken constitutes no exception to the rule.
The Passionists become personally known to
many people through their pastoral work; they
are frequently seen as preachers in the pulpits
of negnbor churches, and they are ever ready
to receive the visits and administer to the spirit
unl wants of those who may feel inclined to call
upon them. While the writer was in the little
reception of the monastery in Hobokens
which is substan TALLY nothing more than wing
of the church, an old Irishman came in to see
the provincial The story he told to the priest
was to this effect: He had a son. who, few
| years before, had taken to drinking. and. going
| from bad to worse. had brought up few months
| since with the delirium tremens That seemed
| to brighten him, and he gave up strong liquors
| and confined himself to Weiss beer and CIDER.
| But. the old man insisted, even these mild
| beverages had proven too much for him, and
| now he was ravlng again with the dslirlum tre-
mems and the father was 10 sore trouble The
provincial listened patiently to tina story, nod
| ding alphabetically the details were re-.
hearsed and when it was over advised the father
as to what he ought to do
| ssTake your son picture of one of tha saints"
| said the priest, land talk with him about it
| Impress upon him the sanity character of the
| person represented in the picture. In addition
| to this. will give you certain ayes to be re-
peated by yourself at various times during the
| day according to instructions which will also
| give you"
| Then the priest left the room and was gone
4 few minutes When he returned he had the
| picture of saint in mis- hand. on the back OF
| which was an ave- which he instructed the old
| man to say several times day at specified hours.
/ This seemed to be good SO far as it went bat the
! old man asked
| Cant have mass said for the ladf'
''Yes," responded the provincial, 1--WE can say
| mass for him."
The father thrust his hand into his pocket and
took ont 3d.
1e 49, Oh, y h.
handing the money to the priest
Then you want three masses saidW queried
the provincial. in q tone that. while not unsympa.
thetic, was yet tinged with business Ike
| accent
Il do" continued the father. "shall I give
you my sons nameP
1T IS unnecessary. You may. if you choose.
but We shall say the masses are in behalf of 9
son whose father is In trouble over his welfare
The old man thought it we'll to give the name.
apparently dreading some confusion, and went
away considerably relieved and comforted.
The provincial wore the regulation earb of the
round tho waist with a black leather strap; sus-
pended by q cord about his neck heart, an
emblem OF the passion. rested on his breasts
above it was cross; his feet were clad only In
members of the order So rigorous is the constr
tuition of the order that it seems as If the time
of Passionist was divided evenly between
activity and contemplation, with no hours fol
l
siderable time to contemplation Of tho Passion
and the plain, small rooms of the monastery ara
furnished with affairs for the private worship Of
the priests. They observe strictly oil the fas
days of the year, and in addition they fast three
Days every week. Rarely, If ever, does one o
the priests at the West Hoboken Monastery pas
night of uninterrupted sleep. 1t is one of the
rnles that Passionist must rise from his sleeI
ana say maths. and at stated hours 60 into the
church and recite the Office in choir. Their ia
BILE when they permit themselves to eat. il
spread in the simplest fashion; the billof fare
not varied, and in ali things they SO conduc
themselves as to cultivate little love for thu
surroundings of this life.
The secret of Father Ourrans ten days In Thu
monastery is not disclosed. He occupies
cramped cell, as do all the inmates: his dieth
chiefly bread and water. like that Of the resideD
monks; and he is left in his cell for meditation
according to custom with both voluntary an.
sentenced priests On the wall of that Gel
hangs a whip with FIVE leathern lashes. Tha
is scourge. and the penitent can apply it to hi
own back. if ne deems himself deserving OF th'
, punishment. No outsider knows whether
Father Curran has thus tortured himself.